Georgian President meets the U.S. Secretary of State
By Messenger staff
Friday, May 3
The U.S. is very supportive of Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO and the EU, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told President Mikheil Saakashvili during their meeting in Washington on May 1st applauding "the democratic transition that has been taking place" in Georgia.
Kerry welcomed the fact that President Saakashvili is engaged “in the first peaceful electoral transfer of power” and that "he is committed to continue the work for the democratic aspirations of the Rose Revolution."
During his first meeting with Saakashvili as Secretary of State Kerry said they are already well acquainted. Expressing gratitude towards Georgia for its assistance in Afghanistan Kerry stressed that Georgia is the largest non-NATO contributor of troops in Afghanistan. "And they have also made significant commitments with respect to post-2014," Kerry said stressing that the democratic transition in Afghanistan is vital and important and the US is grateful “for everybody’s efforts to keep that on track.”
For his part Saakashvili thanked Kerry for being with Georgia “at a crucial moment of history”-referring to the August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia. Praising Kerry for his bravery in coming to Georgia "at a very difficult and dangerous moment" Saakashvili said Georgia will never forget Kerry's efforts in helping Georgia while serving on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. "That’s something that really shows the best of America's moral stance." Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili said Georgia wants "American support for Georgia's joining NATO" and further integration with Euro-Atlantic structures "at this very difficult and crucial moment for Georgia’s democracy and Georgia’s survival."
According to the official webpage of President Saakashvili, Kerry once again expressed support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Regarding the ongoing events in Georgia, the importance of U.S. engagement in keeping democratic institutions and reforms alive in Georgia was also emphasized. Georgian and U.S. officials also discussed the issue of deepening relations between the two countries and agreed that the active cooperation should continue in various directions.
On April 24th Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjkidze met with Secretary Kerry as part of the NATO ministerial in Strasbourg where Kerry expressed interest concerning the ongoing changes in Georgia.
Panjikidze also mentioned that Secretary Kerry accepted her invitation to visit Georgia. However, the exact date of his visit has not yet been announced.
